Read More

The refusal document reads: “[It] would be likely to give rise to the on-street parking of additional cars attracted to the premises and thereby interrupt the free flow of traffic to the danger of road users in an area where on-street parking is in high demand.”

Inspectors also decided the “proposed development would lead to over intensification” of HMOs in the area.

B&NES Council said it would be “harmful to the character of the area” and therefore rejected the proposal.

Read More

However, applicant Andrew Spear has now made an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to try to have the decision revoked.

In his appeal, Mr Spear wrote: “We believe that the fact that there is no parking facilities on site would not mean an increase to the on street parking. There is no increase in the number of bedrooms in the property.

“It is likely that the property will be used by students who are significantly less likely to own cars particularly with the excellent public transport infrastructure in and around Bath.”

Read More

As for the volume of HMOs in the area, Mr Spear said: “The application is in line with the council's own HMO policy. The application clearly meets the requirements including the process for assessing the number of HMO's in the 100m radius.”

A planning inspector will visit the site in the next few months and make a decision on the appeal.